Labor’s share of global income declines, and the rise of AI technology could potentially exacerbate inequality worldwide.

The United Nations’ subsidiary, the international labor organization, revealed in a research report on September 4 that workers’ portion of the global income has considerably diminished over the past 20 years. As inequality has widened, the total decrease in labor income has reached trillions of dollars.

The study emphasizes that the main reason for the decline in worker income is the COVID-19 epidemic. Nearly half of the reduction in worker income took place during the epidemic period from 2020 to 2022.

The current global pandemic has further widened existing inequalities, particularly with capital gains continuing to be primarily accumulated by the wealthiest segments of society.

In addition, the International Labor Organization is particularly concerned that the wave of artificial intelligence may lead to further widening of inequality.

According to the International Labor Organization, labor currently accounts for only 52.3% of global income, while the rest is capital income from owners of assets such as land, machinery, buildings, and patents.